FINDINGS OF THE MONITORING BY REGION CULTURE OF CONDUCTING THE TRIAL The monitors evaluated the general status of observance of ethical norms and communication culture both by the court and the trial participants as impeccable in 87% of cases (above nationwide average by 9%). In 98% of cases the court did not allow rudeness or tactlessness (3% above the nationwide average rate), and in 99% of cases did not make any discriminatory comments and actions (matches the nationwide average rate). In 88% of cases the judge did not get distracted from the hearing and listened to the parties attentively (below nationwide average by 2%). In 95% of cases the participants of the trial observed ethical norms and due communication culture (above nationwide average by 1%). CULTURE OF CONDUCTING THE TRIAL IN THE EASTERN REGION 4,3 -5 0 5 REASONABLE TIME According to the assessment of the monitors, in the eastern region the court took efficient actions to encourage the parties to settle only in 18% of those cases where it was necessary (34% below the nationwide average rate). The reasons for that require further investigation. In 28% of cases the court hearing started on time or with a delay of up to 5 minutes (above the nationwide average rate by 8%). In certain cases, the monitors noted delays in the beginning of the hearings of more than 1 hour, which was caused by the court spending time in the deliberations room or participation in panels. The longest delay registered by the monitors was 4 hours and 15 minutes. The monitors also informed of cases when the hearing started ahead of schedule. From the questionnaires of monitors on first instance courts of general jurisdiction: “The court started hearing the case 4 hours and 15 minutes later than scheduled, as all the members of the panel were busy in another trial”. “The court started hearing the case 1 hour ahead of schedule since the defendant was not transported to court, and the prosecutor did not object to the conducting of the next preparatory hearing via video conferencing”.   70 MONITORING OF ADHERENCE TO FAIR TRIAL STANDARDS IN UKRAINE